Honda eyes Le Mans

Honda could be heading to Le Mans via its US-based racing division. Best known as the builder of engines for the premier US openwheeler racing IndyCar series, Honda Performance Development (HPB), is set to put a toe in the water at the 2010 running of the French endurance classic.
 
Using the LMP2 class contender it races under Acura badging in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS), a HPD-supported European privateer team will seek to gain an invitation to race the 24 Heures du Mans next June.
 
Head of Development for HPD, Roger Griffiths, told the Carsales Network it was too early to say Honda was a definite for the iconic French race. He did confirm however that the operation had commenced 24-hour dyno testing in preparation.
 
Via the privateer entry in 2010 Honda is also believed to be seeking to gain a better understanding of Le Mans organiser ACO's wider requirements for entrants including corporate obligations, sponsorships and the like.
 
HPD won the drivers, manufacturers and teams championships in the prototype categories (LMP1 and LMP2) of this year's ALMS using engines and chassis developed in-house. The Acura Le Mans Prototype cars feature a powerplant based on the 3.5-litre V8 engine HPD supplies to the IndyCar world.
 
Acura is Honda's premium channel in the USA. Cars such as the Accord Euro and Legend are badged as Acura models in the USA.
 
The LMP2 entry is considered by many to be a lower risk stepping stone to an entry into the premier LMP1 class. Currently dominated by the turbodiesel-powered cars of Audi and Peugeot, LMP1 is one category that has been suggested is also in the sights of Toyota. Weight has been added to the Toyota to Le Mans rumours since the Japanese giant announced its decision to leave F1 last week.
 
Located north of Los Angeles, HPD is a wholly owned division of Honda with a staff of around 120. In addition to its status as the sole engine supply for the IndyCar engine series, HPD does some R&D and prototype development for Honda America.
 
HPD is currently in the early stages of developing a new engine for the Indycar series. Tipped to be a twin-turbo V6 of around 2.4-litre capacity, the engine is expected to race in the 2012 championship. Speculation that Audi and perhaps even Fiat would join the series as engine suppliers (running turbocharged four-cylinder engines) appear now to be petering out, HPD insiders say.
 
HPD is also charged by Honda America to help build Honda's involvement at the "grass roots motorsports" level. To this end, the racing specialist operation has recently gained certification from the US version of CAMS, the SCCA, for a version of the Jazz's four-cylinder powerplant. Under the SCCA ruling the engine is eligible as a replacement for the aging Ford Kent 1600cc engine in the US Formula Ford series.
 
In its transformation to a race engine, the Jazz engine gains a dry sump but loses high-tech features like variable valve timing and its drive-by-wire throttle. This is to ensure the engine's performance is downgraded to match the 40-year-old Ford mill.
 
The series' name will be changed to Formula F to recognise the second engine manufacturer. No not 'F' for Honda... The Jazz is marketed in the USA (and Japan) as the Fit.

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